Feeling nostalgic.

[arontius]

.....Have been on a kick for Irish / Celtic Isles music lately and currently have an old Magical Strings tape playing on the boom box. It is an old tape that is un-named by them, but was what they hawked during their performances during the Folklife Festival of 1980. That was the first year I attended the Festival. It was a magical event for me. Music was everywhere at the Seattle Center, and the intense crowds hadn't started appearing as yet.

.....Phillip Boulding was alternating between playing harp and penny wistle and Pam Boulding was pounding away on the hammered dulcimer. They were both relatively new to the Seattle Folk Music scene, but they certainly named themselves very aptly. Their music wove magic in the air. I was just enthralled with it. The notes literally danced in the air and you could feel the chords wrapping around the May Pole. Very heady stuff.

.....I have a stack of Magical Strings albums. As the years go by you can see the steady progression of their music. Technically, it gets better and better. Phillip picks up more styles, as well as a greater range of instruments. They travel the world musically, anywhere from Irish classics to South African rhythems to Central American stylings. It gets quite intricate.

.....But I find that when I want to hear some really good 'Celtic' music, I find myself digging out that old cassette tape and throwing it into the tape recorder. Their oldest recordings are still the best. It doesn't have the same polish of their newer stuff, but the freshness of it still exhilerates. Like the proverbial teenagers who have just discovered love.

.....Makes me want to open the hammered dulcimer case and see what I can do to tune the old girl. I am seriously wanting to make some music again. I miss it a lot. Need Inga to move back home so that we can get the recorder consort going again. :-)

.....I really should give Inga a call and see how she is doing.....

.....Aaron / Arontius.

Comments

[krazyfiberkat.livejournal.com]

Have you listened to the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast? I download it regularly. It is a great way to get some good music to listen to.

Last year was the first time in years that we missed the Folklife festival. It definitely is changing, becoming more commercial.

[srfbgm.livejournal.com]

I play recorder, penny whistle and bodhran if you want to get a group together, count me in. I've played with the Columbia Street Seisun Band and an Irish group in Oklahoma (briefly).

Your Device for Your Banner

[centaur11.livejournal.com]

I noticed that the device you show on LJ is different than the one on the Roll of Arms. Just want to make sure I'm digitizing the correct one...

Re: Your Device for Your Banner

[arontius]

You have the right one. :-) The one I use on LJ is my alternate device, for my alternate persona, Dr. Justin Case. I registered the extra name and device with the college of heralds because I couldn't decide at the time which persona I wanted to use. Since it takes so bloody long to register a name and device / badge with the college, I did both at the same time so SAVE time. :-) So I use the alternate as my LJ Icon. Since LJ is my alternative life, so to speak. :-)

So, are you smacking your head in frustration at dealing with morons like us? :-) It ain't gonna get any easier, I can tell you that now. :-)

Aaron / Arontius.

[gattagrigia.livejournal.com]

Thank you for reminding me about Phil Boulding! Great musical memories!

I used to play one of his student harps, and took lessons from him, I think before he married Pam, it was that long ago. Such a wonderful, musical family he made... and I spent several years with the Madrona Contra Musica playing harp and other instruments and the greatest hits of the 12th - 17th centuries (which is why 80's music is almost like new to me sometimes ;).

Sigh, I gave the harp away to someone who thought they might play it, but they don't. Such is the way of the world...

It's time to play. :-)

[arontius]

You should go and see if you can get it back. Harps need to be PLAYED. :-) It is rather amazing the joy that comes back into being by just making music again. Doesn't have to be concert hall quality, just enough to evoke the muses, so to speak. :-)

From what I understand, Phillip Boulding still does harp lessons. I keep thinking that I ought to check into them again. :-)

Aaron / Arontius.

[greywolfe64.livejournal.com]

I would love to learn to play an instrument, but when I wasn't able to master the "Easiest" instrument in the world to play, the Recorder(as the music store proprietor called it). I gave up. I think my problem is psychological and physiological. I can't get my two hands to do two different things at the same time. Oh well.

[rockharp.livejournal.com]

I have one of his first harps, a wire-strung "Tristy", it was his harp #13, made in '82. Actually, my apprentice Eala is using it now.

Hey, anytime you want to sit down and play, come on by. I usually have a harp and bodhran on me at an event, that's what I play in the band as well.